Loop and Ribbon Tools

Decorating and Painting Pottery Pieces
Around the world, pottery has always been a major interest of many. Learning how to make, decorate and paint pottery is a skill that may take some time and practice. Techniques for preparing, throwing and molding clay vary between potters. Imagination is important in decorating and painting pottery in order to produce pieces that are truly unique and beautiful.

Economy Tool Kit		Kemper Ceramic Loop Tools		Kemper Ribbon Tools		Large Wooden Paddle Tool Set
Price: $10 - $11		Price: $3 - $4		Price: $3 - $4		Price: $15 - $20
		Brand: Kemper		Brand: Kemper
An excellent starter set that includes all of the basic potter tools: sponge, loop tool, wire clay cutters, pro needle, boxwood tool, potter's rib, ribbon tool and metal scraper.		Spring-tempered steel shapes set in thick, tapered polished hardwood handles.		Flat, ribbon-like, clockspring steel forms the cutting heads on these tools.		This five-piece, oversized tool set is perfect for shaping large pieces of clay.
Mini Ribbon Clay Sculpting Set		Mini Ribbon Tool Set		Ribbon and Flat Wire Tool Sets		Sculpture House Alcohol Lamp
Price: $7 - $14		Price: $10 - $14		Price: $9 - $10		Price: $12
						Brand: Sculpture House
These tools are used for fine sculpting, detailing, and trimming when working with clay, greenware, plaster, wax, bread dough, or any other modeling medium.		These handy tools are used for fine sculpting, detailing, and trimming when working with clay, greenware, plaster, wax, balsa foam, or any modeling medium.		This assortment of durable, double-ended ribbon and wire tools offers a variety of clay modeling possibilities.		This glass lamp is excellent for warming the ends of modeling tools when working in wax as well as clay.
Set of 5		Single End Tools		Wire End Clay Tool Set
Price: $40		Price: $22		Price: $10
Brand: Sculpture House
Five tools for making thin lines, each approximately 6" long.		Set of six long, round metal wire-end clay modeling tools with boxwood handles in your choice of round and ribbon sets.		This set of six, 8" wire-end clay modeling tools with boxwood handles is hand-wound to ensure firmness and durability.

There are many different decorations for use with pottery. Some crafters use glazing, painting, engraving or carving. Glaze and paint can be sprayed on, dipped, poured or brushed on to pottery items. Multicolored slips are often used for decorating. Pictures and other designs are often created using slips. Slip can be applied using a brush, sponge or fingers. Marbling can also be added to pieces by shaking after applying slips. Pieces should be allowed to dry slowly with adequate air flow to entire area. This will ensure there is no warping or cracking.

Glazing is the most popular form of pottery decoration. It creates gorgeous effects when applied in layers. This is called overglazing. This method can be done to a layer of glaze that has not yet been fired in a kiln. Underglazings are colors that are put on a piece of pottery before glazing. After firing, colors show up vibrantly through top glaze.

Slip is a mixture of colors and clay that is often used to accent pieces. It gives surfaces an amazing appearance. Marks and carvings are easily made into slip before it becomes fully cured.